BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II)

Unmanned Target Drone

United States | 1997

"The BAe QF-4 became a full-scale, reusable target drone for the USAF and USN based on the Vietnam War-era McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/21/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The QF-4 represents a full-size unmanned target drone version of the successful Cold War-era F-4 Phantom II aircraft. QF-4's are operated by the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron (itself under the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group of the 53rd Wing of Elgin AFB, Florida) out of Tyndall Air Force Base. Drones are utilized for a variety of reasons with these QF-4's mounting various countermeasures to research a bevy of weapons and tactical maneuvers.

The QF-4 drone was put into operational service in 1997 as converted F-4 Phantom II models. It is a remote-controlled aerial target that has the benefit of being reusable. Remote controlling is handled by either a pilot at a nearby ground control station or can be fully under computer control via the Gulf Range Drone Control System. Either way, a chase plan is utilized during the exercises as a precaution. Other precautionary measures include the use of internally-held explosives aboard the QF-4. Should the system become unstable or unresponsive, ground forces have the ability to directly destroy the runaway unit if need be. Exercises are only accomplished over water sources deemed available to drone programs in the United States.

QF-4 drones are essentially full-working modified models of their F-4 forefathers. Modifications of the original McDonnell aircraft were handled by BAE Systems at the cost of $2.6 million per system conversion. The airframe has retained all visible similarities to the former and internal systems such as the General Electric turbojet engines (with reheat capability) are all accounted for. Performance specs include a top speed of Mach 2, a range of 1,300 miles and a service ceiling of 60,000 feet.

The QF-4 succeeded the QF-106 (based on USAF F-106 aircraft) in the USAF drone inventory. Some 86 total QF-4 drones were known to be in service as of this writing (2008). 250 total QF-4 target drones were registered as shot down as of 2013.

The QF-4 line has since been succeeded by the QF-16 which is a target drone variant of the popular and successful Lockheed Martin / General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (2015). Formal replacement of QF-4 drones is expected during 2015.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the BAe QF-4 Unmanned Target Drone.

2 x General Electric J79 turbojet engines developing 17,845 lb thrust with afterburner.
Propulsion

1,599 mph
2,574 kph | 1,390 kts
Max Speed

59,652 ft
18,182 m | 11 miles
Service Ceiling

1,300 miles
2,092 km | 1,130 nm
Operational Range

41,300 ft/min
12,588 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the BAe QF-4 Unmanned Target Drone.

0
(UNMANNED)
Crew

30.2 ft
9.20 m
O/A Length

38.4 ft
(11.70 m)
O/A Width

16.4 ft
(5.00 m)
O/A Height

41,502 lb
(18,825 kg)
Empty Weight

61,796 lb
(28,030 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II) Unmanned Target Drone .

None as the air vehicle is expendable. Explosives are placed internally in the event that the drone becomes unresponsive and uncontrollable.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II) family line.

QF-4 - Base Series Designation; based on the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II airframe.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 250 Units
Contractor(s): BAe Systems / McDonnell Aircraft Corporation - USA

[ United States ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 1600mph

Lo: 800mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (1,599mph).

Graph Average of 1,200 MPH.

Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

Production Comparison

250

36183

44000

Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

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Aviation Timeline

EarlyYrs

WWI

Interwar

WWII

ColdWar

Postwar

Modern

Future

♦

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Image of the BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II)

Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.

UNMANNED

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II) Unmanned Target Drone appears in the following collections:

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